PSL in bizarre decision over abandoned Hardrock-Dynamos clash

The Premier Soccer League has ordered the remaining 14 minutes of the abandoned Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match between Hardrock FC and Dynamos FC to be replayed behind closed doors at a neutral venue following crowd violence that forced the fixture to be abandoned.

The disciplinary committee also fined both clubs US$10,000 each for offences linked to the disturbances during the Matchday 14 encounter at Chahwanda Stadium on 24 May.

The match was abandoned in the 76th minute with the teams level at 1-1 after referee Mhaka Magare halted play following a pitch invasion and violent clashes between rival supporters.

In addition to the club sanctions, Hardrock chief executive officer Kudzanai Hove was suspended from all football-related activities for the remainder of the 2026 season and fined US$5,000.

According to the PSL, both clubs were found guilty of causing the abandonment of the match, pitch invasion, acts of violence, improper conduct and disrupting the normal proceedings of the game.

Dynamos was also found guilty of malicious damage to the stadium's perimeter fence, while Hardrock was sanctioned for failing to provide adequate security as the home club.

Hardrock's US$10,000 fine was reduced by US$2,000, suspended on condition that the club is not found guilty of a similar offence for the remainder of the season.

The club was further ordered to play one home match behind closed doors and submit a revised match security management plan to the PSL chief executive officer within 30 days.

Dynamos was directed to submit a comprehensive crowd management and stewarding plan within the same period and to provide written reports after every away match for the remainder of the season detailing measures taken to manage travelling supporters.

The PSL's disciplinary ruling was supported by reports submitted by Magare, assistant referees Brilliant Sibanda and Phikisani Ndlovu, as well as match commissioner Ruzive Ruzive.

According to Magare's report, kick-off was delayed because security personnel were struggling to control crowds gathered at the stadium entrance gates.

The match eventually began at 3:30pm.

The referee said tensions escalated after he awarded Hardrock a penalty in the 67th minute for a handball offence, a decision strongly disputed by Dynamos players Shadreck Nyahwa, Hastings Chapusha and Witness Shave.

Magare reported that one of the protesting players pushed him, resulting in a five-minute stoppage before Hardrock converted the penalty in the 72nd minute to level the scores.

According to the referee's account, Dynamos supporters then began throwing bottles, cans and stones towards Hardrock supporters, prompting an exchange of missiles between both sets of fans.

The report states that Dynamos supporters were the first to invade the pitch, followed shortly afterwards by Hardrock supporters, forcing match officials to flee towards the dressing rooms.

Magare also alleged that members of Dynamos' technical team and substitutes initially blocked the officials from leaving the field, accusing them of attempting to evade responsibility before eventually allowing them through.

The officials remained in the dressing rooms until the match commissioner advised that the playing field had been cleared.

By that stage, Magare said darkness had fallen and the stadium's floodlighting was insufficient for the match to resume safely, leading him to abandon the fixture with 14 minutes of regulation time remaining.

Hove, who was captured on video during the disturbances allegedly assaulting a Dynamos supporter, was found guilty of disorderly conduct, violent behaviour and pitch invasion.

He was arrested by police on 26 May and suspended by Hardrock a day later, becoming the fifth individual arrested in connection with the violence, which left several supporters requiring hospital treatment.

The PSL issued disciplinary summonses to both clubs and Hove on 29 May, culminating in the sanctions announced by the league.